Meningitis and Septicaemia 15 Nov, 2017

Meningitis is the inflammation of the membranes and linings that protect and surround the brain and the spinal cord.Meningitis can be caused by many different organisms including bacteria and viruses.Without prompt qualified medical assistance, bacterial meningitis can prove fatal.

Septicaemia (another name for blood poisoning) refers to a bacterial infection of the blood caused by meningitis.Meningitis and septicaemia often occur together.

If you suspect meningitis or septicaemia get qualified medical assistance immediately.

Signs and Symptoms

Below are common signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia that appear in both infants and children.

The symptoms can appear in any order or may not appear at all.

Infants (0-12 months)

Child (1 year to puberty)

fever, cold hands and feet

vomiting/refusing food

dislike of being handled

drowsiness, floppy or unresponsive

rapid breathing, grunting

pale blotchy skin, spots/rash (see glasss test)

unusual cry or moaning

tense bulging fontanelle (soft spot)

neck stiffness, dislike of bright lights/sunlight

seizures/convulsions

fever, cold hands and feet

vomiting

severe headache

drowsiness and difficult to wake

stiff neck

confusion and irritability

dislike of bright lights

severe muscle pain

convulsions/seizures

pale blotchy skin, spots/rash (see glass test)

Bacterial menigitis kills more children under the age of five within the UK than any other infectious disease. Around 10% of bacterial meningitis cases result in death and around 15% of infants and children who survive are left with severe side effects such as brain damage, blindness and deafness.

Changes to First Aid 21 Aug, 2017

Following a recent HABC review to improve first aid qualifications with the First Aid Awarding Organisation Forum, the HSE and SQA, this has resulted in new qualifications in first aid at work and emergency first aid at work.

These new qualifications will replace the current qualifications on 1 October 2017. The last day the current first-aid qualifications will be available for delivery is 30 September 2017 .

Emergency first aid at work

The qualification will become level 3 to align with the rest of the first-aid suite

No longer a need to complete an accident report form, with the focus instead on why reporting is required

Identifying the severity of external bleeding rather than the types of bleeding

Clarification that shock refers to hypovolaemic shock

Further guidance and amplification on key first aid terms have been added to help standardise across the industry

First aid at work

All of the above changes are also included in the new first aid at work qualification

Safe Use of Ladders and Step Ladders 21 Aug, 2017

This guidance is for employers on the simple, sensible precautions they should take to keep people safe when using ladders and stepladders in the workplace. This will also be useful for employees and their representatives.

New legislation was passed in Westminster this week to allow schools in the UK to keep spare adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs) for emergency use. AAIs deliver a potentially life-saving dose of adrenaline in the event of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). The legislation comes into effect from 1 October 2017.

Full information can be found https://www.allergyuk.org/about/latest-news/433-new-legislation-allows-spare-emergency-adrenaline-autoinjectors-in-schools

Early Years Foundation Stage 2017 (EYFS) 20 Mar, 2017

The revised EYFS which comes into force on 3rd April 2017 includes the new paediatric first aid (PFA) training. All newly qualified entrants to the early years workforce with a level 2 or 3 qualification must also have either a full or emergency PFA certificate within 3 months of starting work before they can be included in the statutory staff:child ratios in early years settings.

First Aid Training (Page 22 - Paragraph 3.25)

Early years providers must have at least one person, who holds a current full paediatric first aid qualification such as the Paediatric First Aid (12 Hours) on the premises and available at all times when children are present, and must accompany children on outings.

Childminders and any assistant who might be in sole charge of the children for any period of time, must also hold a full current Paediatric First Aid certificate.

Providers should take into account the number of children, staff and layout of premises to ensure that a paediatric first aider is able to respond to emergencies quickly.

All other child care staff who are included in the mandatory staff to children ratio, must hold either a full Paediatric First Aid (as above) or Emergency Paediatric First Aid qualification and gain this qualification within three months of starting work.

Exceptions can be made if a person is unable to gain a paediatric first aid qualification if a disability would prevent them from doing so, but whereever possible they should still attend a course and obtain a certificate or written letter of attendance.

In Annexe A (Page 36) of the guidelines, the content of both courses is detailed which remains the same as detailed in the previous guidelines. However, all Awarding Organisations that offer regulated Paediatric qualifications, have agreed that minor injuries along with bites and stings, should be included in Emergency Paediatric First Aid and removed from Day 2 of the full Paediatric qualification. This has been agreed with the DfE and Millie's Trust. This is reflected in the resources and the amended units for both qualifications.

Safeguarding (Page 16 - Paragraph 3.4 to 3.8)

All early years providers must have and implement a policy, and procedures, to safeguard Children. All policies and procedures should be in line with the guidance and precedures of the relevant Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB).

A practitioner must be designated to take lead responsibility for safeguarding children in every setting. They must provide support, advice and guidance to any other staff on an ongoing basis, and on any specific safeguarding issue as required. The lead practitioner must attend a child protection training course that enables them to identify, understand and respond appropriately to signs of possible abuse and neglect.

Early years providers must ensure that all staff are trained to understand their policy and procedures for safeguarding.